What's Wrong With New York?
The dream of the mid-2000s is alive in New York City, where Harrison Patrick Smith (better known as The Dare) has become the figurehead for a revivalist movement of a certain Myspace-era jouissance. The DJ, producer, and one-man electroclash band blew up in 2022 with “Girls,” a raunchy throwback to DFA Records’ heyday in feverish celebration of the ladies of the demimonde: “I like the girls that do drugs/Girls with cigarettes in the back of the club.” His first full-length as The Dare refracts the touchstones of the indie-sleaze era: Blog Haus’ sawtooth synths, LCD Soundsystem’s sardonic punk funk, Peaches’ unrepentant horniness, Benny Benassi’s electro scuzz. “I’m in the club while you’re online!” Smith crows on “Good Time,” a Lower East Side jock-jam that doesn’t skimp on cowbell; “Open Up” and “You’re Invited” further extol the healing powers of touching grass. Glimmers of “Guess,” the Dare-produced Charli xcx bonus track, echo through the charmingly louche “Perfume.” Now, throw on your best vintage American Apparel and don’t come home ’til sunrise.
Split between libido-maxxed hooks and hackneyed stabs at post-bender profundity, the Dare’s debut album is sweaty, horny, and trying really hard.
The Dare wants to party like it’s 2006. His debut album ‘What’s Wrong With New York?’ captures that very wish
The Dare debuts with the fervour of a New York Club and none of its required charm
The Dare's debut LP is a mixed bag of bite-size party anthems and wearisome earworms that provoke even if you’re not looking for provocation.
Fresh off the back of producing Charli xcx and Billie Eilish’s sultry chart-topper Guess, suit-clad New Yorker The Dare's debut album is worth the hype.
Kate Moss famously said, “Why the fuck can’t I have fun all the time?”. It’s a sentiment that The Dare certainly echoes - not just in his music, but in
The Dare's 'What's Wrong With New York?' is euphoric, massive, funny, blissfully unironic, and finally real male pop. I wouldn't overthink it.